Mining machine



Jun 30,1925.

F. T. LOBBEY MINING MACHINE Original Filed May 18, 1918 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June F. T. LOBBEY MINING MACHINE Original Filed. May 18 1918 2 Sheets-s 2 Iii/1787 a Patented June 30, 1925.

-om'rsosrarss PATENT OFFICE.

FRED 'rPLosBEY, on wINsLow, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO sULLIvA MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION s vIAssAoHUsE'r'rs.

MINING MACHINE.

I Application' filed May is, 1918, Serial No. 235,384. Renewed December '11, 1924..

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it knownthat I, Finn). T. Lossuv, a citizen of therUnited States, residing at Winslow, in the county of Pike and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mininghlachines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification. i

My invention relates to mining machines.

My invention has for its object to provide improved means whereby a mining machine may be controlled in an improved manner. A further object of my invention is to provide improved means whereby a room and'pillar machine maybe fed rela tive to the facein an improved manner during a cutting operation preparatory to the transverse cutting operation, and thereafter moved transversely asdesired. A still further object of my invention is to provide improved means whereby a mining machine, and especially, though not necessarily, one of the type utilizing a continuous flexible feeding member, may be angled in an improved manuer, as for example when moving fromits sumping to'its transverse cutting position or duringany later operation, with increased facility and without any un due strain upon the-machine. These and other objectsand advantages of. my improved construction will, however, herein-- after more fully appear In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings; p

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a minin machine equipped with my improvement and disposed in its position after completion of its sumping cut and with the parts connected to begin the transverse cut.

Fig. 2 is a similar diagrammatic view showing the machine in the first stages of its transitionalmovement from its sun'iping position to its position duringthe transverse cut. I 1

Fig. 3 is a similar diagrammatic view showing the machine in the position occupied after the completion of its transitional movement and when ready to make its transverse out. i

Fig. t a similar diagrammatic view showing the machine after the completion around the same by power transmitted in any well known manner from a suitable motor at carried on the frame. As usual, it willbe noted that this machineis also provided at the rear end of its frame with an upstanding feed driving or operating'mem'- her 5, preferably likewlse driven from the motor 111 a. well known manner in opposite directions at different predetermined speeds,

and a plurality of adjacent rotary guiding inembers (i,v '4', and 8, cooperating with the member 5 iii a well known manner, as well as another rotary guiding member 9 located adjacent the front end of the frame, each of these members 6, 7, 8, and 9 being adapted to guide a continuous flexible feeding nember 10 cooperating with the driving member 5. As this member 10 isherein shown in the form ofa feed chain, each of the members 5, 6, 7,8, and 9 is also shown herein as of sprocket form. In the use of a standard machine such as described when undercutting a room or the like from right to left, for example, the advance end of the flexible feeding member 10 is connected to a jack 11 fixed at the left hand rib, while the chain 10 is extended back therefrom along the face, around the sheave 9, rearward along the machine frame, around the sheave 6, around'the driving sprocket 5, and around the sheave 7, the other end of the chain being connected to a fixed point at the receding side of the machine and usually at the opposite or right hand rib. In my improved construction, I have pro vided improved means adapted to be utilized with various types of machines other than that described, but herein shown, for purposes of illustration, as applied to that type, which means comprise a double strand connection connectible between a fixed point at the right hand rib and the rear end of the machine whereby that end of the machine, as distinguished from being maintained substantially stationary when angling, as for example in preparing for the transverse cut,

is enabled to move relative; to andaway from the rib but at a" slower rate than the free end of the cutter bar, so that, while the desired direct turning a movement ;is v obtained, all deleterious straining of the feeding mechanism is avoided. Referring more particularly to the drawings, itwillbe noted that in-my improved construction, I have provided zit-preferably horizontally disposed guiding member or sprocket 12 at the recedin'g side of the machine,1. e. theright hand rib, the same beingshown herein aspca-rried in a suitable support 13'fiXe'd11n the Nb,

although obviously I any other I well :known meansof mounting" the member 12 may be used'it' desired Around'this member 12 it willbe notedthat the right handend of the flexible feeding member 'is "passed after it has passed o if'of the rear'guiding meinber and then; directed back toward the machine frame. It willals'o be observed that fl have 'attaclied'to :this end of the chain 10a hook leadapted to be removably connected at williin-asuitahle cooperating hook orey'e l5 carried on the right handside of themachineirame '1 and ate point closely adj acentthe rear end thereof.

4 As a result" of thisfimproved construction,

it, will" be obsfervedithat, after, the insertion of the fsumping cutan d the connection of the parts as shown in Fig; 1, when the feed drivinggmember 5=is started in operation upon the feeding member jl0,by ,a clockwise rotation at a predetermined slow 'or cutting speedthelinachine is swung" about its rear end as a pivot at the same timethat its rear end isjmoved awayt'rom the rib.

More specifically, it will be observed thatthe re'ceding portion of the flexible feeding means is lengthened at approximately onelhalf thespeed that theadvancing portion thereof is drawn in, andtliat, as a result,

:the Ireareiid of the machine is thus moved away from the rib at approximately one third the speed of movement of thef'outer end of the bar, so that, as distinguished from [a "previous construction wherein the rearfendof the machine" is maintained stationary, all deleterious strain is removed at r the same time that tlieidesired direct 'turn-- i'ng movement and its consequent saving in time, etc; is obtained. Through'the use of my improvedconstruction, .it will also be observed thatefter the machine has conipleted turning movement, the samemay obviously fed acrossith'e {face in the usual cutting out an obstruction or when angling at the left hand rib, this may be very readily accomplished by simply adjusting the position of the hook upon the chain and thereby varying the turning effect obtainable tlirough varyingtheefiective len 11 "of the, rearwardly locateddeadof the atter.

Moreover, it will be evident that when the overthe'bottom, but thatbyreason of my,

improved constructionmaking possible se lect ive utiliaation of the double strand receding portion, the machine may also be movedrelative to the receding portion at predetermined speed faster than the slow feed and approximately half as fast as the fast'teed, but in the sa-medirection asthe latter.

It will be noted thatthroughthe use of:

my improvedmechanism, herein including the'double strand connection extending from:

the rear of the machine" to a fixed point'and returned and-connected to the frame, it is possible to vary'the rate of feeding movea ment of the machine irrespective of a-ny possible change in rate "of movement ofthe feed operating member on the niachi'ne and therebyprovide further possiblevariations in' speed of feed without in any way interfering with the function anclmperation of the feed operating membr or in "any way interfering "with the entire practicability of the mechanism as alisirigle j strzrnd mechanism during thetran svers'e' out; 7 Further, it will be noted that throughthe" use of my :improved construction with a machine of the single continuous'feed member type, it is made possible to' eliminate-entirely the ne cessi ty fora take-up mechanism located on the machine or adjacent one of theribs, such a machine through my improvement being adapted to be "prepared forthe transverse c'ut' ,witl1out necessityfor the provision of such ata'ke-up member. Referring to the particular construction shown, by the use of my improved consti'uction,-it will be observed tha'tyit is possible'to" obtain the desired direct turning effect without placing a severestrain on the -1nadhine, the double strand connection, whih herein extends to the rear end of the machine, acting to turn the machine effectually desired and'at the same time to *reduce the machine strains. 7

Attention is also directed to thefifact that, through the use of any improvement, it is possible for an operator to connect the parts very readily and quickly "without moving from his usual po'st,-it only being: necessary for him to connect up the hook with the ma the adjustment of the hookalong the'chain'] it is also evidentthatthe angular position of the machine relative to the face may be;

very readily adjusted at anytime. These' and other advantages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

IVhile I have in this application 'speeift" cally descr1bed one embodiment which my invention may assumein practice, it will be understrxid that this form is used for illustrative purposes only and that the'invention' may be modified and embodied in various other forms Without departing from, its 20 spirit or the scope of theappended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A mining apparatus comprising a frame having a cutterbarextending longitudinally thereof, flexible transverse feedingv means therefor including single strand advance and receding portions at opposite ends. of

said frame, and meanswhereby said reced ing portion may be operatively connected at will as a double strand connection.

2. Afmining apparatus comprising'a frame having a cutter bar extending longitudinally" thereof, flexible transverse feed ng means therefor including single strand advance and receding portions at opposit'eends of said frame, and means whereby said receding portionm'aybe used as a double strand? connection n cutting operation prepara tory to the transverse cut.

- eluding a single strand advancejportion and a receding'portion, andmeans wherebysaid receding portion may be o'peratively con- 3. A mining apparatus comprising a frame having a cutter bar extending longitudinally thereof, flexible feeding means adapted to act on the opposite'ends of said frame in nected in single or double strand connections and have its effective length varied ata predetermined speed or at a predetermined fraction of said speed. c

at. A mining apparatus comprising a frame having a cutter bar extendinglongitudinally thereof, flexible feeding means adapted to act on the opposite ends of said frame including a single strand advance portion and a receding portion, and means whereby said receding portion may be operatively con nected in single or double strand connections and have its effective length varied at a predetermined fastspeed or at a predetermined fraction of saids'peed. j 5. A mining apparatus comprising a frame having a cutter bar extending longitudinally thereof, flexible feeding means adapted to act on the opposite ends thereof including "advance and receding portions and a feed operating member, and meanswhereby While said feed operating member rotates in the same direction said receding portion may be operatively connected in a single or a double strand connectlon and have its effective length varied at a constant speed or at a pre determined fraction of said speed. 7

6. In a mining machine, a frame having a projecting cutterbar extending longitudimember extending from adjacent the rear; end of the receding SlClG of said frame, and

means for selectively connecting said memberto said frame in a single or adouble strand connection.

S. A mining apparatus comprising a frame having a cutter bar extending longitudinally thereof, flexible transverse feeding means adapted to act on the opposite ends of said frame including a single strand ad vance portion and a receding portion, and means for operatively connecting the weed ing portion to said frame in a double strand connection during cutting preparatory to the transverse cut andthereafter in a single strand connection. j

9. A mining apparatus comprising a frame having a cutter bar extending longitudinally thereof, flexible transverse feeding means adapted to act on the opposite ends of said frame including a flexible advance portion, a flexible receding portion extending from adjacent the rear end of said frame, and a reversible feed operating memher acting on the latter, and means for selectively operatively connecting said portion as a single or double strand connection.

10. In amining machine, a frame. having a projecting cutter bar, feeding means therefor including a flexible feeding member extending from one side of said frame, and means forselectively connecting said frame to the rib in a single or double strand connection of said flexiblemember.

11. In a n'iining machine, a frame having a forwardly projecting cutter bar, feeding means therefor including a tlexible feedingdireetionswfrom the opposite ends of said frame, and means for selectively, connecting.

said frame to the rib inai single :or double strand; connection of said flexible meinben 13. In a mining'n'iachine a fram'e having a forwardly projecting cutter bar feeding means therefor including a; continuousfiexible feeding. member extending laterally in opposite directions fromtheopposite ends ofsaid frame, and means fOrseleet'i Vely con t A guiding. 1 roller necting the rear end of said framegto the rib in a single ordoul'ile strand connection of said flexible rmemben I 1 1. In a mining machine, a'fra-me having a forwardlyprojectingentter bar, feeding mechanism therefor including acontinuous flexible feed ngJmember,extending laterally therefrom 111 aop'posite qCllLQCII-IOHS, and means for selectively connecting one end of said frame to the rib 1m single or andouble strand connection, one of said connections beinglof adjustable length 7 a I 1 15.1 1511 a minmg nachine. aframelhaving a forwardly projecting cutter bar, feeding means therefor including a flexible, double strand connection extending from thje rear end of said framerto therib and l ackto the rearend of said frame,'and means for selec'- tively connectingwthelrear end of saidiframe to the: rib 111' said double strandconnection or in a single strand connection.

, 16L In. a anininp; machine, a. frame having a forwardly @proj acting cutter: dia v flexible feeding means"therefor including double frame including a liook carried strand connection extending from the rear end of said frame to the rib and back to the rear. end of said frame, and means-for selectively connecting the end ofsa-id connection or tonitself.

-- 17: .In-a miningmachine, a fralneahaying;

a forwardly project-in; cutter berr -power driven feeding mechanismtherefor includ ing a double strand:connection extending; from the rear end of; said frame -tokthe ribif tolsaidframe,.and means for connecting the and back to the rear endof said frame, and means selectively connectible -W1i;h "the frame asaforesaid, or st'ationarykwith're-v spect to-the rib for eont'rollin'gthe anglejof machine, a frame having;

driven feeding mechanism therefor includ;

ing? a fdo ible strandleonnection extendin from therear endof said frainef to'theri andfbackfto itheirear end 'ofsaid frame, a

between the strands thereof at 1 a point adjacent one. offtheribs, and means for selectii ely. Vconnecting'the end of'said connection to the rearuendj of saidlframein a double strand' connec'tionas. aforesaidorto the rib inasingle s randconnection".

20; lira mining machine, a frame'ha ving rwa dly: p oje t ng ut e b el ins mechanism there-for finoludmgf a flexible feeding memberfextendi'ng to points at cp Y Q positer sides 1 of the frame, the advance end of the samebeing fixed, ajguiding member disposed at the receding side of said frame around which the other endof said member is extended andidirected back to saidframe; B and means for connecting the end, of said flexible member With the rear end of said r m -1 r.

.21. 111 21. nnn n machine, a frame havm fia forwardly pr eoting cutter bar, feed mg mechanism'therefor including a flexible feeding member extendingto points on'op- V posite sides of the frame,the advance end ofl thesame being fixed; a vguiding member dispOsedatthe receding side of said frame 05 around which the rear end of said. member 1s extended and d rected back *to aidfframe, and means for conne'etmgf'the'end of said flexiblemember with the rear 1 end of sa'id fon oneof said elements 7 In] a mining jmahirie; a frame having, a forwardly pro ect ng cutter bar, feeding mechanism therefor including a flexible feeding member"extending to 195 points at opposite sides of theTfi-ame, the advance end of the same beingfixed, a guiding memberdispose'd at the'receding side of said. frame around which the other end or said member isextended and directed back end ofJsaidQil'exibIe member 'with the rear end of said frame lncl-udrnga hook carried on saidend of said member.

' 23;"In a'inining machine; a frame hating 1 1)) a forwardly :projecting cutter bar, feeding mechanism therefor including a flexible feeding memberextending to, points at 0115 V positeisides of the frame, :the advance end of the same being fixed, a guiding member disposed at; the receding s de of saidfiframei aroundwhich the other end of said member is extended and directed'back'to saidframe', and, means for successively connectingthe endofsaid flexible member with the "rear" a forwardly projecting cutterbar; feeding for said connection disposed 7 mechanism therefor including a flexible feeding member extending'to points on opposite sides of the frame, the advance end of the same being fixed, a guiding member disposed at the receding side of said frame around which the other end of said member is extended and directed back to said frame, and means for connecting the end of said flexible member with the rear end of said frame including a hook carried on said end of said member and a cooperating hook receiving member on said frame.

25. In a mining machine, a frame having a projecting cutter bar, feeding means there for comprising a flexible connection extendingbetween the front end of said frame and a fixed point adjacent the face, a flexible connection extending from the rear of said frame and parallel to the face to a fixed member disposed in spaced relation to said frame at the receding side thereof, means for varying the length of said second mentioned connection comprising a rotatable member operative to shorten or lengthen said connection at a rate proportional to the rate of rotation thereof, and means whereby the effective length of said connection may be varied at different constant rates and for the full length thereof if desired without variation in the rate of rotation of said rotatable member.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FRED T. LOBBEY. 

